Method for the stowing of a set consisting of multiple elements in an overpack and set consisting of multiple elements for stowing in an overpack

ABSTRACT

A method for stowing a set consisting of multiple elements in an overpack as well as a set consisting of multiple elements for stowing in an overpack, in which all the elements of the set are arranged in a common overpack in a predetermined sequence and in a predetermined orientation to each other, and a base surface of the overpack corresponds to a base surface of an EUR pallet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority on and the benefit of German PatentApplication No. 10 2018 007 502.9 having a filing date of 24 Sep. 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for the stowing of a set consisting ofmultiple elements, especially pieces of furniture, in an overpack.Furthermore, the invention relates to a set consisting of multipleelements for stowing in an overpack, especially pieces of furniture, forstowing in an overpack.

Prior Art

Objects are usually packed in a package or overpack for transport. Thepackage or overpack serves on the one hand for the protection of theobject and on the other hand for facilitating the transport and handlingof the object. Overpacks are known which have a standardized size. Thus,for example, packing boxes or boxes to hold any desired goods andarticles are dimensioned so as to be arranged “seamlessly” on an EURpallet.

For the transport and handling of a set or a group of individualarticles or elements, these are packed in individual overpacks. Owing tothe different sizes and shapes of the individual elements, this mayresult in a variety of different-sized overpacks, which cannot beassembled in an efficient or easily handled manner on an EUR pallet.Thus, for example, the individual elements of a furniture grouping arestowed and transported in several individual overpacks or boxes. This isnot only costly to the logistics firm entrusted with the transport andhandling, but also to the customer, since the customer must alsotransport the variety of different overpacks. Furthermore, the dangerexists that an element or an overpack will get lost and the set will notbe complete. Besides the example of a furniture grouping given here, onecan also mention other sets consisting of individual elements which aresubject to the same problem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem which the invention proposes to solve is to create a methodfor the stowing of a set in an overpack, as well as a set consisting ofmultiple elements, which can be easily and efficiently transported andhandled.

One method for solving this problem is a method for stowing a setconsisting of multiple elements, especially pieces of furniture, in anoverpack, characterized in that all the elements of the set are arrangedin the overpack, especially a container or a carton, in a predeterminedsequence and in a predetermined orientation to each other, wherein thebase surface of the overpack corresponds to the base surface of an EURpallet. Accordingly, it is proposed that all the elements of a set arearranged in a common overpack in a predetermined sequence and in apredetermined orientation to each other. Accordingly, it is providedthat all elements of a set are arranged in an overpack in apredetermined sequence and in a predetermined orientation to oneanother, in particular so as to lie on top and beside one another. Thebase surface of the overpack corresponds to the base surface of an EURpallet. The overpack may be, for example, a carton, a container, or someother receptacle. Thanks to arranging all of the elements of the set inthe overpack on an EUR pallet, on the one hand all the elements areassembled into a unit and on the other hand all elements or the entireset can be easily transported and handled on the EUR pallet.

In particular, it may furthermore be provided that at least some of theelements are arranged in the overpack in a folded-up and/or in a notfolded-up condition. For example, folding chairs or stools may be foldedup so that they can be stowed in an especially space-saving manner inthe overpack. Furthermore, it may also be provided that the individualelements can be disassembled into single pieces. Thus, for example, itis conceivable that tables, benches or loungers will be disassembledinto their single pieces, such as tabletops, feet, wheels or the likeand these single pieces will then be placed in the overpack in anespecially space-saving manner.

Preferably, it may further be provided according to the invention thatflat elements and/or single pieces of elements are arranged parallel toa side wall of the overpack or parallel to the base surface of the EURpallet. Depending on the dimension of the individual elements or thesingle pieces, these can be coordinated with a side wall or a long sideor an end face of the overpack. In particular, large-area elements arepreferably placed upright and parallel to the side walls.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide thatsingle pieces of elements are arranged between the elements. Forexample, smaller single pieces such as screws, nuts, or the like can beassembled in a container and be stowed in empty spaces between elements.

Furthermore, it may be provided according to the invention that severalidentical elements, such as chairs, are bundled to form a unit or groupand are arranged as a unit in the overpack. Likewise, it is conceivablefor several identical or similar single pieces of the elements to bealso formed into a unit or a group and to be stowed for example in a boxor a bag in the overpack. Thanks to this forming of similar or identicalelements or single pieces, they can be stowed in an especiallyspace-saving manner in the overpack.

Furthermore, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention mayconsist in that at least one protection means, preferably cardboard,dunnage, or the like, is arranged between individual elements and/orbetween individual single pieces of elements. Thanks to such protectionmeans, one can prevent the individual elements or the single pieces fromsuffering mechanical damage during the transporting. Thus, for example,chairs or tabletops or the like can be separated from each other by flatcardboard.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may involve thefollowing steps, while the sequence of these steps may also beinterchanged at will:

-   (a) first of all at least one tabletop or a portion of a tabletop or    a portion of a lounger or a portion of a bench is placed on the base    surface of the EUR pallet, and/or on top of this:-   (b) at least one single piece of a disassembled element, especially    a table, a lounger, a bench or the like, is put in place; and/or at    least one further flat object such as a tabletop or a portion of a    tabletop or a portion of a lounger or a portion of a bench is placed    against at least one side wall of the overpack; and/or-   (d) at least one further single piece of a disassembled element is    placed upright on the base surface of the EUR pallet; and/or-   (e) groups of single pieces of a disassembled element are placed    against an end face of the overpack on the base surface of the    overpack or the EUR pallet; and/or-   (f) a unit or group of identical or similar elements, especially    chairs, are placed on the elements already placed in the overpack;-   (g) wherein preferably cardboard is placed between the individual    elements; and/or-   (h) further single pieces of a disassembled element are positioned    in free areas in the overpack; and/or-   (i) further elements are placed in free areas in the overpack;    and/or-   (j) a tabletop or a portion of a tabletop or a portion of a lounger    or a portion of a bench are placed on the elements or single pieces    already arranged in the overpack in parallel with the base surface    of the EUR pallet; and/or-   (k) further elements or single pieces of a disassembled element are    placed in free areas in the overpack; and/or-   (l) the overpack is closed, especially by clamping means, which are    also placed around the EUR pallet.

A set for the solution of the aforementioned problem is a set consistingof multiple elements, especially pieces of furniture, for stowing in anoverpack, characterized in that at least some of the elements can bedisassembled into single pieces and/or folded up, and all the elementsin the folded-up and/or not folded-up and/or disassembled condition canbe arranged in the overpack, wherein a base surface of the overpackcorresponds to the base surface of an EUR pallet. Accordingly, it isprovided that at least some of the elements, preferably pieces offurniture, can be disassembled into single pieces and/or folded up, andall the elements in their folded-up and/or not folded-up and/ordisassembled condition can be arranged in the overpack, wherein a basesurface of the overpack corresponds to the base surface of an EURpallet. Thanks to this arrangement of all the elements of the set or allpieces of furniture of a furniture grouping, the set can be especiallyeasily and efficiently transported and handled. In particular, thearrangement of the entire set on an EUR pallet proves to be especiallyadvantageous. Thanks to the positioning of the overpack on astandardized EUR pallet, the set can be transported across borders byknown means of transportation, such as forklift trucks or lift trucks.

Preferably, it may furthermore be provided by the invention that theelements and/or the single pieces of the elements are configured suchthat only a few, preferably no empty gaps are formed between theelements and/or the single pieces in the condition stowed in theoverpack. Thanks to this optimal utilization of the volume of theoverpack, the set can be transported in an especially efficient manner.

Finally, a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention mayprovide that the individual elements of the set can be disassembled intostraight, especially oblong, and/or flat single pieces. These straightor flat single pieces can be stacked or arranged next to each other inan especially space-saving manner in the overpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention shall now beexplained more closely with the aid of the drawing. There are shown:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a chair,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bench,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a table,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lounger,

FIG. 5 is a perspective representation of a stool,

FIG. 6 is a representation of a single piece,

FIG. 7 is a representation of a group of single pieces,

FIG. 8 is a representation of a portion of a tabletop,

FIG. 9 is a representation of several single pieces,

FIG. 10 is a representation of a folded-up chair according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 11 is a representation of a folded-up stool according to FIG. 5,

FIG. 12 is a representation of a single piece of a bench according toFIG. 2,

FIG. 13 is a representation of a single piece of a bench according toFIG. 2,

FIG. 14 is a representation of a single piece of a bench according toFIG. 2,

FIG. 15 is a representation of a single piece of a bench according toFIG. 2,

FIG. 16a is a representation of an overpack on an EUR pallet,

FIG. 16b is a further representation of the overpack on the EUR pallet,

FIG. 17a is a representation of a first step of the method for stowingan element from a perspective A,

FIG. 17b is a representation of a first step of the method for stowingan element from a perspective B,

FIG. 17c is a representation of a first step of the method for stowingan element from a perspective C,

FIG. 18a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 18b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 18c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 19a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 19b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 19c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 20a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 20b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 20c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 21a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 21b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 21c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 22a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 22b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 22c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 23a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 23b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 23c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 24a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 24b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 24c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 25a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 25b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 25c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 26a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 26b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 26c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 27a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 27b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 27c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 28a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 28b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 28c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 29a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 29b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B,

FIG. 29c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C,

FIG. 30a is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective A,

FIG. 30b is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective B, and

FIG. 30c is a representation of a further step for stowing an elementfrom the perspective C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The set described, consisting of multiple elements which are to bestowed in a single overpack 22 according to the method of the invention,may comprise furniture as the elements, for example, especially gardenfurniture. The exemplary embodiment of the invention represented by thefigures provides for stowing a set of garden furniture. The individualelements of the set may be, for example, a garden chair 10 (FIG. 1), abench 11 (FIG. 2), a table 12 (FIG. 3), a lounger 13 (FIG. 4) as well asa stool 14 (FIG. 5). However, it is explicitly pointed out that the setaccording to the invention as well as the elements of the set may alsoinvolve other objects, and the present invention is not confined to thementioned garden furniture.

It is provided that the mentioned elements, especially the gardenfurniture, can be disassembled at least partly into single pieces. Thus,for example, the lounger 13 can be disassembled into a single piece 15(FIG. 16). Further single pieces of the different elements may beassembled into groups 16 of single pieces. The table 12 also can bedisassembled into individual tabletops 17 for stowing in the overpack22. Further single pieces 18 of the disassembled table 12 can be stowedloose in the overpack 22.

Furthermore, the invention proposes that at least some of the elementscan be folded up. Thus, FIGS. 10 and 11 respectively represent afolded-up chair 10 and a folded-up stool 14. Both the chair 10 and thestool 14 can be folded up so as to occupy the least possible space andoptionally to be stacked one on another in the folded condition. Inparticular, several garden chairs 10 or several stools 14 can be stackedin especially space-saving manner.

The single pieces 19, 20, 21 (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14) of the bench 11can also be stowed in the overpack 22 in especially space-saving manner.Further single pieces of the bench 11 can be assembled into a group 21on account of their similar shape (FIG. 15).

The individual elements of the set may accordingly be stowed either in afolded-up or in a disassembled condition in the overpack 22. FIGS. 16aand 16b represent a closed overpack 22, which his placed on an EURpallet 23. A significant feature is that a base surface 25 of theoverpack 22 is identical to a base surface of the EUR pallet 23. For asecure transport, the overpack 22 in FIG. 16a and FIG. 16b is closed bystraps 24. The straps 24 may be clamped around both the overpack 22 andthe EUR pallet 23.

The overpack 22 may be either a cardboard-like container or a containermade of wood or another material.

The elements of the set so stowed in the overpack 22 can be especiallyeasily and securely transported and handled on account of thepositioning of the overpack 22 on the Euro-pallet 23.

In the following FIGS. 17 to 30, individual steps shall be described forthe method according to the invention for stowing the individualrepresented elements. It is pointed out that the steps described inFIGS. 17 to 30 can also be performed in any other sequence desired. Inorder to illustrate the stowing of the individual elements in thecuboidal overpack 22, each step is represented from three differentperspectives, namely, perspective A, perspective B and perspective C.The different perspectives A, B, C here correspond to the axes of aCartesian coordinate system, which is situated on the overpack 22. Forclarity, in the figures each time only that element or that single pieceis provided with a reference number, that is added to the overpack 22 inthe step represented by the figure.

First of all, the single piece 15 is set down on a base surface 25 ofthe overpack 22 (FIGS. 17a to 17c ). After this, the group 16 consistingof multiple single pieces of the same element as the single piece 15 isset down on the single piece 15 (FIGS. 18a to 18c ).

In the following, two tabletops 17 and a further single piece 26 of thetable 12 standing upright are associated with the side walls 27 as wellas an end wall 28 of the overpack 22 (FIGS. 19a to 19c ).

In a following step, single pieces 19 of the bench 11 are then placedupright in the overpack 22, namely, between a tabletop 17 and the singlepiece 15 (FIGS. 20a to 20c ).

After this, a group of single pieces 18 is laid on the base surface 25,oriented to an end wall 28 (FIGS. 21a to 21c ).

Next comes the stowing of four chairs 10 placed one on top of another,and this on the single piece 15. The individual chairs 10 are orientedparallel to the base surface 25. Between the individual chairs 10 thereis positioned a protection means 29. This protection means may becardboard, for example, which protects the individual chairs 10 frommechanical damage with respect to each other and also with respect tothe single piece 15 (FIGS. 22a to 22c ).

The group of chairs 10 is positioned between the two tabletops 17 andthe single pieces 19. The protection means 29 may be dimensioned suchthat they keep the tabletops 17 and the single pieces 19 at a distance.In this way, the individual single pieces and elements are secured toeach other. With this fixing, an increased safety can be achieved inregard to mechanical damage.

In a further step, a further single piece 30 is positioned in theoverpack 22 (FIGS. 23a to 23c ).

The stool 14 in the folded-up state is placed in a following step in afree space between the stack of chairs 10 and the side wall 28 (FIGS.24a to 24c ).

FIGS. 25a to 25c shows that further single pieces 31 are stowed in theoverpack 22. Further single pieces 32, 33 are also stowed in theoverpack 22 in FIGS. 26a to 26c and FIGS. 27a to 27 c.

Finally, a further protection means 34 is positioned on top of the groupof garden chairs 10, having nearly the same size as the base surface 25of the overpack 22. The protection means 34 is clamped between the twotabletops 17, which leads to an enhanced stability of the stowedelements (FIGS. 28a to 28c ).

Single pieces 20 as well as a group 21 of single pieces are then placedon this protection means 34 in the bench 11 (FIGS. 29a to 29c and FIGS.30a to 30c ).

Once all the elements and all the single pieces of the elements havebeen stowed in the overpack 22, the overpack 22 is closed and, asmentioned above, closed by means of the straps 24 on the EUR pallet 23.

In the same fashion, i.e., according to the same method according to theinvention, practically any given elements or single pieces of elementsof a set can be stowed in a simple and efficient manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   10 Garden chair-   11 Bench-   12 Table-   13 Lounger-   14 Stool-   15 Single piece-   16 Group-   17 Tabletop-   18 Single piece-   19 Single piece-   20 Single piece-   21 Group-   22 Overpack-   23 EUR pallet-   24 Strap-   25 Base surface-   26 Single piece-   27 Side wall-   28 End wall-   29 Protection means-   30 Single piece-   31 Single piece-   32 Single piece-   33 Single piece-   34 Protection means

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for stowing a set consisting of multipleelements, especially pieces of furniture, in an overpack (22),comprising arranging all the elements of the set in the overpack (22),especially a container or a carton, in a predetermined sequence and in apredetermined orientation to each other, wherein the base surface (25)of the overpack (22) corresponds to the base surface of an EUR pallet(23).
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of theelements, in a folded-up and/or in a not folded-up condition, and/or atleast some of the elements disassembled into their single pieces, arearranged in the overpack (22).
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein flat elements and/or single pieces of elements are arrangedparallel to a side wall (27, 28) of the overpack (22) or parallel to thebase surface of the EUR pallet (23).
 4. The method as claimed in claim1, wherein single pieces of elements are arranged between the elements.5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein several identical elementsand/or several identical single pieces of elements are bundled to formunits and are arranged as a unit in the overpack (22).
 6. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein at least one protection means (29, 34),preferably cardboard, dunnage, or the like, is arranged betweenindividual elements and/or between individual single pieces of elements.7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a) first of all at leastone tabletop (17) or a portion of a tabletop (17) or a portion of alounger (13) or a portion of a bench (11) is placed on the base surface(25) of the overpack (22) or the EUR pallet (23); and/or on top of thisb) at least one single piece of a disassembled element, especially atable (12), a lounger (13), a bench (11) or the like, is put in place;and/or c) at least one further flat object such as a tabletop (17) or aportion of a tabletop (17) or a portion of a lounger (13) or a portionof a bench (11) is placed against at least one side wall (27) of theoverpack (22); and/or d) at least one further single piece (15, 18, 19,20, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33) of a disassembled element is placed upright onthe base surface (25) of the overpack (22) or the EUR pallet (23);and/or e) groups (16, 21) of single pieces (15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 30, 31,32, 33) of a disassembled element are placed against an end face (28) ofthe overpack (22) on the base surface (25) of the overpack (22) or theEUR pallet (23); and/or f) a unit or group (16, 21) of identical orsimilar elements, especially chairs (10), are placed on the elementsalready placed in the overpack (22); g) wherein preferably cardboard isplaced between the elements; and/or h) further single pieces (15, 18,19, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33) of a disassembled element are positioned infree areas in the overpack (22); and/or i) further elements are placedin free areas in the overpack (22); and/or j) a tabletop (17) or aportion of a tabletop (17) or a portion of a lounger (13) or a portionof a bench (11) are placed on the elements or single pieces (15, 18, 19,20, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33) already arranged in the overpack (22) inparallel with the base surface (25) of the overpack (22); and/or k)further elements or single pieces (15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33)of a disassembled element are placed in free areas in the overpack (22);and/or l) the overpack (22) is closed, especially by clamping means. 8.The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least some of the steps (a)to (l) are performed in any given sequence.
 9. A set consisting ofmultiple elements, especially pieces of furniture, for stowing in anoverpack (22), wherein at least some of the elements can be disassembledinto single pieces and/or folded up, and all the elements in thefolded-up and/or not folded-up and/or disassembled condition can bearranged in the overpack (22), wherein a base surface (25) of theoverpack (22) corresponds to the base surface of an EUR pallet (23). 10.The set consisting of multiple elements as claimed in claim 9, whereinthe elements and/or the single pieces of the elements are configuredsuch that only a few, preferably no empty gaps are formed between theelements and/or the single pieces in the condition stowed in theoverpack (22).
 11. The set consisting of multiple elements as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the elements can be disassembled into straight,especially oblong, and/or flat single pieces.